Interior glass trim element for vehicle

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to method for dissipating the kinetic energy during an impact on a glass trim element into a motor vehicle&#39;s interior comprising a step of fixation of the glass element to a support to provide an assembly that is integrated to motor vehicle&#39;s interior body. According to the present invention, the support comprises further a mean with a permanent deformation or not to dissipate the kinetic energy during an impact.

The present invention relates to a method for dissipating the kineticenergy during an impact on a glass interior trim element into a motorvehicle. Particularly, the present invention concerns a method fordissipating the kinetic energy during an impact on center console or anytrim element for a motor vehicle. The center console comprises a consolebody and trim elements mounted on the console body.

Interior trim vehicle refers to the items that can be added to theinterior of an automobile or a motor vehicle in general (car, bus, train. . . ) to increase its appeal. There are several types of vehicle trim.Some are used to protect some part of the interior vehicle from unwanteddamage that can be caused by the passenger, while others are simply foraesthetics.

However, today car manufacturers tend to use more and more glass insidethe vehicle and particularly as cover glass of the dashboard and thisparticularly to have display behind the cover as for exampleanalog-digital hybrid touch panel apparatus and a recognition methodthereof.

Also, not only for aesthetic point of view but particularly for addingmore and more functionalities on some part on interior of vehicle,particularly on trim elements, car manufacturers are looking forreplacing plastic, wood . . . trim element by glass which are moreresistant to scratches and because more functionalities may be added onthem.

Also, in many vehicles and particularly cars, a vehicle console isdisposed between left and right front seats. Typically, the centerconsole is anchored to the dashboard of the car and extends on thatpart. The center console can also be installed to the left and right ofthe back seats. In order to make the interior of the car more beautifuland comfortable, usually decorated panels covering the exposed parts ofthe center console (such as a CD player, controls for audio, climate,the infotainment etc. . . . ) are mounted on the center console andparticularly on the upper side of the center console.

Generally, the top part of the center console is made of plastics,polycarbonate elements (plastics materials are used as a cover to thewhole console system). This solution is often aesthetic but does notallow adding directly some functions on the center console as such“touch screen functionalities” with good efficiency . . . . Furthermore,the disadvantages of having a plastics molded center console are thefollowing: since there is no touch functionality permitted withplastics, an overload of useless buttons must be installed on theconsole. At the end of the day, the multitude of buttons confuses thedriver (safety aspect). Additionally, because there is no seamlesseffect, it is more difficult to clean the center console as the dust isincrusted around the buttons, etc. . . . (hygiene downside). The plasticmaterial used to cover the center console is hardly recyclable whereasglass is endlessly recyclable (environmental issue). The molding processof the plastic parts results in plastics ending up as wastes (recyclableplastics prices are not competitive with newer plastics prices,therefore there is currently no viable alternative to address thisenvironmental concern). In general, plastics material used a glass coverare not highly resistant to UV and the transparent tint turns intoyellow with time (deterioration of the design). Additionally, in orderto present a similar stiffness than glass, a cover made of plastics willbe heavier than one made of glass. Therefore, plastics materialsolutions are not optimal for this car part in order to lighten the car.As technology cycles go faster and faster, a glass center console wouldallow flexibility for IT upgrades to be made and allows for seamlessconnectivity with nomadic devices. By having a glass center console, itwould allow to reconcile the many different softwares that are typicallysupported by the car into one Operating System located and commandedfrom the same place. Additionally, in contrast to most of the materialscurrently used as parts of the center console, glass can support the useof ambient light (improving the comfort/convenience of the passengers).Furthermore, the passenger does not want to see anymore plastic in hisinterior's car similarly to his house or his office interior's.

The current interior decorative or functional parts are mainly made ofdecorative plastics. Therefore, fixation elements can be directlyintegrated to these parts. However, the plastic parts have thedisadvantage to be damaged when being touched and over the life time ofthe vehicle, due to their low resistance to abrasion. Furthermore, theeffect of having plastic in the car for the user interface (visibledecoration or functional panel) is not optimal for the high-endfinishing, plastics being considered as a low quality material. Anothercriteria is the feeling when touching plastic, user feels to touch aweak material, and the sensation at fingertips is hot and soft, givingthe impression of a low end material. The current solutions therefore donot need to integrate specific intermediate parts for assembly.

Thus, glass trim elements or a glass console are preferred to have abetter aesthetic and allow to increase the appeal of the vehicle. Glasstrim elements are more difficult to fix to the interior's vehiclebecause they must comply with safety rules.

Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method fordissipating the kinetic energy during an impact on a glass interior trimelement into a motor vehicle. Particularly, the present inventionconcerns a method for dissipating the kinetic energy during an impact oncenter console for a motor vehicle, comprising a console body and trimelements mounted on the console body or trim element on the dashboard.

For avoidance of doubt, the present invention is applicable for allmeans of transport such as automotive, train, plane . . . .

According to the invention, the method comprises a step of fixing theglass trim element to a support to provide an assembly that isintegrated to a motor vehicle's interior body. According to the presentinvention, the support comprises further a mean with a permanentdeformation or not to dissipate the kinetic energy upon impact.

Preferably, the mean with a permanent deformation or not to dissipatethe kinetic energy upon impact is provided under the support to welldissipate the kinetic energy upon impact.

Thus, the present invention proposes a solution to dissipate the kineticenergy upon impact. Indeed, in case of an impact on a glass trimsupported on a frame and particularly on a plastic frame or a metal partin interior of a vehicle, the glass trim element breaks in small sharpand flying particles leading to a risk for the occupant of the vehicle.

Thanks to the present invention, a solution is provided to reduce thedeformation of the glass upon an impact while allowing the distributionof impact energy through the structural components supporting the glasstrim element. Commonly, upon an impact, 100 joules have to bedissipated.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the mean with apermanent deformation or not is made of a material chosen among foam,plastic or rubber and provided under the glass trim element and thesupport. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention,the mean is made of foam.

Thus, upon an impact, the glass trim element will not break or theimpact will not lead to a projection of fragments of glass. The damageon the glass will be limited to a potential crack in the glass.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the mean with apermanent deformation or not is provided around the periphery or thetotal surface of the glass element in contact with the support. Thus,preferentially the dissipation of the energy due to the impact willoccur by friction.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the mean with apermanent deformation or not comprises at least 90% in weight ofpolypropylene or ethylene propylene diene monomer, thermoplasticelastomer, silicone, polyurethane.

Method according to any preceding claims, characterized in that the meanwith a permanent deformation or not has a density comprising between 10g/l and 50 g/l. Below a density of 10 g/l, the mean will be too supple(flexible) and will not dissipate enough energy. Above a density of 10g/l, the mean will be too stiff and would prevent a correctdeceleration.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the mean with apermanent deformation or not has a thickness higher than 20 mm tocushion correctly the impact and to have an correct deceleration of theenergy.

Thus, the present invention relates in a preferred embodiment to amethod comprising a step of fixing the glass trim element to a supportto provide an assembly that is integrated to car's interior body,wherein the glass trim element is an upper part provided on a consolebase. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the inventionconcerns as a motor vehicle a car.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the glass trimelement may extend form the console base to cover entirely or partiallythe dashboard. The glass trim element may be made in one or severalpieces.

Thus, thanks to the present invention, large glam trim element may beused as motor vehicle's interior glass trim element.

The invention relates to the fixing of a frame coupled to the glass trimelement which is characterized to limit the deformation of the glassallowing at the same time to absorb the energy in case of static anddynamic loading/shock thanks to the appropriate construction andparticularly thanks to the mean with a permanent deformation or not isprovided between the glass trim element and the support.

According to the present invention, the frame will be preferentiallymade out of thermoplastics material, or steel, or composite material, ora combination of those, in order to brings to the module glass withframe a sufficient rigidity to reduce the glass deformation and reducethe risk of glass breakage.

Preferably, the frame will be designed with structural ribs in order toreinforce significantly the mechanical resistance of the module“glass/frame” to make it very rigid.

Possibly, the rigid assembly will be combined to elements below thisassembly, these elements will be made to resist to a static load appliedto the assembly but out of brittle material or with a mechanism in orderto break in case of excessive load, as for instance a crash.

This combination of a rigid frame to sustain the glass and avoid glassdeformation, with fixing elements will be preferentially made with thepurpose of developing a safe product to respect among others regulationsuch as regulation R21 of the European norms E/ECE/324, E/ECE/Trans/505but as well to provide design which satisfy the requirements.

According to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, thesupport to provide an assembly that is integrated to motor vehicle andparticularly car's interior body is a frame made of plastic.

Thus, the invention proposes to use plastic as intermediate material anduse glass for some of the user interface parts. More specifically, theareas that are often touched by the user as decorative parts and/or asfunctional parts will be replaced by glass and the plastic material willbe used in order to be assembled to the glass and connected to the innerbody of the car. The current invention is taking the advantage that theplastics can be easily adapted and formed by different processes, andcan also be fixed to the glass. Therefore all the fixing elements can beincluded inside the plastic frame that will be fixed to the glass, whichwill be used as user interface and providing a much better finishingaspects to the user.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the glass trimelement is a trim element mounted onto the upper part of a centerconsole body on which functional elements and at least one trim elementare mounted, or for all other decorated area or glass with somefunctionalities as touch screen, where glass could be used such as thedoor inner trim, back part of vehicle seat or headrest of vehicle seat,door insertor as armrest cover.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the glass trimelement may be cover glass of the dashboard since, today carmanufacturers tend to use more and more glass inside the vehicle andparticularly as cover glass of the dashboard and this particularly tohave display behind the cover as for example analog-digital hybrid touchpanel apparatus and a recognition method thereof.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the center consoleof a vehicle and more particularly a car comprises a console body and atleast one trim element disposed on the upper part of the console body.The trim element may extend from the rear part of the center consoleplaced between the left and right front seats to the lower part of thedash board. For example three trim elements may be used to cover theupper part of the center console. It is understood that the console bodyand trim element may extend between the left and right back seats. Theupper trim element may cover the upper part of the center console fromthe mid part of the center console to part just above the dashboard.This trim element may be flat or with a weak curvature. Some access tofunctional parts may be provided through this trim element. The middlepart presents a curvature to correctly fit with the design of the centerconsole. The middle part may show an opening to have an access tofunctional buttons to control for example sound, air conditioning . . .. The opening may be covered by another piece of glass sheet which maybe openable, for example by a sliding movement. However, in one otherembodiment of the invention, the functional buttons placed into the trimelements may be replaced by touch functions with lead to suppressanesthetic functional buttons which generally protrude from the centerconsole. Finally, the third trim element may cover the part locatedbetween the left and right front seats. This trim element in thisspecific embodiment presents some holes for example storage compartmentor for cup holders systems.

In one embodiment, a storage compartment may be provided between theleft and right front seats. In a preferred embodiment, the storagecompartment is cover by a fourth trim element made also of glass sheet,corresponding to an openable lid. Then, the trim element may preferablyextends to the compartment lid.

In another embodiment of the invention, the upper trim element extendsto the dashboard and integrates a display panel as such a GPS, CD/audioplayer screen . . . .

According to the invention, the trim elements are made of glass sheet.Preferably, the trim elements are made of a soda-lime-silica asdescribed below.

It is understood that the different trim elements may be made of thesame glass or may be different to answer to different specificationsrequested by the car maker.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the trim ordecorative elements may be present in the interior of a motor vehicleand particularly a car, as doors handles contours, door panels, trimelements of the dashboard, back of seats . . . .

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the support toprovide an assembly that is integrated to motor vehicle's and moreparticularly a car's interior body is a frame made of plastic whichmatches the shape curvature of the glass trim element.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the glass trimelement is beforehand assembled to a plastic frame before beingintegrated to car's interior body.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the plastic frameis provided on the back of the glass trim element.

According to another embodiment of the present invention the plasticframe is provided below and around the glass trim element.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the plastic frameis provided on the glass trim by gluing, using a tape, a thermoplasticor a thermoset or even by mechanical fixation such as clips or screws.

According to the present invention, the plastic frame may be produced byknown encapsulation processes or by 3D-printing or by all suitableprocesses to produce such a plastic frame.

The connection of the plastic frame to the glass can be done bydifferent means such as glues mono or bi-components, tapes,thermoplastics, thermosets or mechanical fixation such as clips, screws.

The assembly of the rigid frame to the glass structure is made with anappropriate material to withstand the thermal expansion difference ofthe different material. Thus the use of a viscoelastic material asmentioned, such as preferably a glue (PU, Silicon, MS Polymer) or athermoplastics elastomers with an appropriate shear strain between 10%to 300% or higher, in order to cope to the dimensional variationsresulting from the different thermal expansion coefficient of thematerial used in the assembly.

Furthermore, the plastic frame shape can be adapted to match everygeometry of the glass, including, for example, a hole made in the glassto integrate a storage box in case of a central console. The storage boxmight be closed with a moving cover in glass as well to give the samehigh end level of finishing, and this cover could be connected to therest of the body using the same interface through a plastic frame. Theplastic interfacing structure offering the advantages that it canintegrate a mechanism for such application.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the plastic frameis made of a material chosen among thermoplastics such as for examplePolybutylene terephthalate (PBT), Polycarbonate-Acrylonitrile ButadieneStyrene (PC-ABS), Polyamide (PA6), Polyamide copolymer (PA66),Polyoxymethylene (POM), Polypropylene (PP), Thermoplastic elastomers(TPE) or thermosets material such as Polyurethane (PUR), Epoxies (EP)with or without fillers to bring additional properties, such as glassfibers for mechanical reinforcement.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the glass elementcan be provided with a safety backing to improve the safety of the glassand prevent fragment to spread in the vehicle in case of breakage. Thedefined frame of the invention is also applicable for fixation to glasswith such safety backing.

The invention relates to the use of a plastic frame to be coupled withthe glass on the back side and integrate to this plastic frame somefunction such as: reinforcement to meet specifications under loads,fixation points to the car inner body, fixation shape to the glass,geometrical aspects to match the expectations for fixation to thefunctional/decorative elements as well as for connection to vehicleinterface.

The main functions of the frame can be list as:

-   -   playing the role of an interface glass/body    -   reinforcing of the sub assembly that can advantageously be        adapted in accordance with the glass used    -   using as well as support for other decorative elements such as        bright molding edge, panels, . . .    -   being slightly visible and therefore have aesthetic function in        some area without impacting the advantage brought by the glass    -   using as substrate and/or masking of different function, such as        connecting to bring added value to the subassembly through the        frame and/or the glass. Among others the added values and the        connecting elements through the frame can be touch function in        the glass, buttons, edge lighting, leds, screens, sound devices,        vibrating devices . . .    -   using as partial support for small pieces of glasses that can be        added to the main console in order to bring decorative aspects.        The decoration can be, among others, colored glass, glass with        engravings, glass with light integration and the frame used as        support for the cables.    -   Reducing noise/vibration between the glass cover and the main        inner body of the motor vehicle    -   Ensuring the minimum glass deformation but allowing the        appropriate energy absorption in occurrence of specified        shock/impacts.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the support toprovide an assembly that is integrated to motor vehicle and particularlycar's interior body may be a frame made of metallic material such aszamac, aluminum, magnesium (Thixomolding), . . . .

According to the invention, the at least one trim element is made ofglass sheet.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the console bodyis mounted on the floor panel of the vehicle. Generally, the consolebody includes a console base mounted on the floor panel, left and rightsupport frames extending upward from left and right side portions of theconsole base section.

Generally, on the upper side of the console body, functional parts andtrim elements are attachable. Trim elements are generally attached tocover or surround some functional parts (such as a CD player, airconditioning controllers, etc. . . . ).

According to one embodiment of the invention, trim elements extend fromthe rear of the center console to the dashboard of the vehicle. Theterms front and rear in the context of the present invention, relate toa front end and rear end of the motor vehicle.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the functional partsmay be directly managed from the trims elements thanks to “touchfunction” providing a touch panel. Thus, the trims elements made ofglass sheet may host different functionalities around electronicgadgetry and vehicle control information, connectivity, touch, displayand audio. Thus the upper part of the center console may be made ofglass sheet in a larger part of the upper part of the center console,without anesthetically buttons to control for example audio controlvolume and on/off, engine start/stop system, head up display controlsystem, glazing opening, display system control, allows circulation ofinformation display in the car on the different glass panels, control ofSMART glazings, etc. According to this embodiment, the touch panel maybe curved for improved ergonomics conditions of drivers/passengers (viewadaptation and glare related issues). Cavities on trim elements can beprocessed to provide haptic feedback on a plain glass sheet for easydetection of touch sensors (for safety reason of the driver).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the trim elements are madein one piece of glass sheet extended from the rear of the console bodyto the dashboard wherein touch functions are integrated.

The trim elements may be extended to a display panel provided on thedashboard thus given the sensation to have only one piece of glass sheetfrom the rear of the center console to the dashboard.

According to another embodiment of the invention, center console can bemade of several pieces of glass sheet, depending on the needs forharbouring functions.

According to another embodiment of the invention, some lighting means asfor example OLED, LED, special glass paint/enamel backing, may beintegrated into the center console or on its edges. A polycarbonateplate may be provided behind the glass trim element in order to betterdiffuse the light.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the trim elements aremade in one piece of glass sheet extended from the rear of the consolebody to the dashboard wherein openings are arranged to provide an accessto functional parts. Such openings may be covered by openable piece ofglass sheet.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the trim elements may beglued or fixed to the console body by encapsulation.

Advantageously, the center console has an upward opening and capable ofstoring therein baggage providing a storage compartment. For opening thestorage compartment of the console body, the vehicle center console hasa first opening mode for opening the compartment of the console base byfor example, sliding the trim elements. Then, the storage compartmentlid is made of glass sheet and can be encapsulated for instance with PU,TPE, PVC, LCP, TPO or similar materials in order to be flush with therest of the center panel when closed. This encapsulation is not limitedto this area of the center console.

According to the invention, the center console is made of flat glasssheet which can be bended or thermoformed to adapt with the shape of thecar. The flat glass sheet may be processed to be decorative or in orderto give an access to CD, plugs, storage compartment, cup holderssystems, buttons, gearstick, cigarette lighter or auxiliary power point,audio controls, the climate control/air condition system and possibly adisplay screen (or other type of system requiring a hole drilled in theglass sheet surface).

The glass according to the invention is made of glass which can belongto various categories. The glass can thus be a glass ofsoda-lime-silica, aluminosilicate or borosilicate type, and the like.Preferably and for reasons of lower production costs, the glass sheetaccording to the invention is a sheet of soda-lime-silica glass.

In one non-limiting embodiment, the basic composition of the glassaccording to the invention comprises, in a content expressed aspercentages by total weight of glass:

SiO₂ 55-85%  Al₂O₃ 0-30% B₂O₃ 0-20% Na₂O 0-25% CaO 0-20% MgO 0-15% K₂O0-20% BaO  0-20%.

In another embodiment, the basic composition of the glass according tothe invention comprises, in a content expressed as percentages by totalweight of glass:

SiO₂ 55-78%  Al₂O₃ 0-18% B₂O₃ 0-18% Na₂O 0-20% CaO 0-15% MgO 0-10% K₂O0-10% BaO 0-5% 

In another embodiment and for reasons of lower costs, the glass is a asoda-lime glass. Advantageously, the basic composition of the glassaccording to the invention comprises, in a content expressed aspercentages by total weight of glass:

SiO₂ 60-75%  Al₂O₃ 0-6%  B₂O₃ 0-4%  CaO 0-15% MgO 0-10% Na₂O 5-20% K₂O0-10% BaO 0-5%. 

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, thecomposition of the glass sheet may additionally comprise one or morecomponent (s)/colorant(s) in an appropriate amount as a function of theeffect desired. This/these component (s)/colorant(s) may be used, forexample, to “neutralize” the colour generated by for example thepresence of the chromium and thus to render the colouring of the glassof the invention more neutral or colourless. Alternatively, this/thesecolorant(s) may be used to obtain a desired colour other than that whichcan be generated by for example the presence of the chromium.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and particularlywhen touch functions are expected on the glass sheet of the centerconsole, the glass sheet preferably has special enhanced infraredtransmission properties in order to enhance the performances of theglass. By virtue of its high transmission of infrared radiation, a suchglass sheet may advantageously be used in a touchscreen or touch panelor touchpad using the Planar Scatter Detection (PSD) or Frustrated TotalInternal Reflection (FTIR) optical technology to detect the position ofone or more objects (for example a finger or a stylus) on a surface ofthe said sheet. Thus, a solution proposed in the present invention toprovide a glass with a high reflection in infrareds (RIR) consists ofintegrating in the glass composition chromium in a specific rangecontents.

Thus, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the glasssheet preferably has a composition which comprises a content expressedas percentages by total weight of glass:

Total Iron (expressed in the form of Fe₂O₃)  0.002-0.06% Cr₂O₃0.0001-0.06%.

Such glass compositions combining low content of iron and chromium haveshown some particularly good performances in terms of infraredreflection (RIR) and show a high transparency in the visible. Thesecompositions are described for example in the following documents:WO2014128016A1, WO2014180679A1, WO2015011040A1, WO2015011041A1,WO2015011042A1, WO2015011043A1 and WO2015011044A1.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the glasssheet has a composition which comprises:

Total Iron (expressed in the form of Fe₂O₃)  0.002-0.06% Cr₂O₃ 0.0015-1%Co 0.0001-1%.

Such chromium and cobalt based glass compositions have shownparticularly good performances in terms of infrared reflection RIR whileoffering interesting possibilities in terms of aesthetics/color (fromblue to intense coloration neutrality or up opacity). Such compositionsare described in European patent application No. 13 198 454.4.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the glasssheet has a composition which comprises a content expressed aspercentages by total weight of glass:

Total iron (expressed in the form of Fe₂O₃)  0.02-1% Cr₂O₃  0.002-0.5%Co 0.0001-0.5%.

Preferably, in this embodiment, the composition comprises 0.06%<totaliron≤1%.

Such compositions based on chromium and cobalt are used to obtaincolored glass sheets in the blue-green range, comparable in terms ofcolor and light transmission with blue and green glasses on the market,but with performance particularly good in terms of infrared reflection.Such compositions are described in European patent applicationEP15172780.7.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the glasssheet has a composition which comprises a content expressed aspercentages by total weight of glass:

total iron (expressed in the form of Fe₂O₃)  0.002-1% Cr₂O₃  0.001-0.5%Co 0.0001-0.5%. Se 0.0003-0.5%.

Such glass compositions based on chromium, cobalt and selenium haveshown particularly good performances in terms of infrared reflectionwhile offering interesting possibilities in terms of aesthetics/color(gray neutral to slight staining intense in the gray-bronze range). Suchcompositions are described in European patent application EP15172779.9.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the composition of theglass sheet comprises the following in weight percentage, expressed withrespect to the total weight of glass:

65 ≤ SiO₂ ≤ 78% 5 ≤ Na₂O ≤ 20% 0 ≤ K₂O < 5% 1 ≤ Al₂O₃ < 6% 0 ≤ CaO <4.5% 4 ≤ MgO ≤ 12%; as well as a (MgO/(MgO + CaO)) ratio ≥0.5.

In another embodiment of the invention, the composition of the glasssheet comprises the following in weight percentage, expressed withrespect to the total weight of glass:

65 ≤ SiO₂ ≤ 78% 5 ≤ Na₂O ≤ 20% 1 ≤ K₂O < 8% 1 ≤ Al₂O₃ < 6% 2 ≤ CaO < 10%0 ≤ MgO ≤ 8%; a K₂O/(K₂O + Na₂O) ratio of from 0.1 to 0.7.

Some others composition of glass may be used, such compositions are forexample described in the following documents: EP14 167 942.3, EP14 177487.7.

According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, which maybe combined with the preceding embodiment, the glass sheet can be coatedwith a layer or a film which makes it possible to modify or neutralizethe colour which may be generated by for example the presence of thechromium (for example a coloured PVB film).

The glass sheet according to the invention may advantageously bechemically or thermally tempered in order to avoid scratches and toenhance the resistivity of the upper part of the center console.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the at least one trimelement is made of chemically strengthened glass sheet, flat or bended.Typically, chemical strengthening is performed by exchanging Na+ ions byK+ ions at the surface of the glass sheet by dipping the glass sheet ina molten salt bath at a temperature below the glass transitiontemperature. Advantageously, the bath consist of high purity KNO3 andthe treatment is performed at temperature between 350° C. and 470° C.,for 1 to 24 hours. Chemical strengthening is preferably applied forglass sheet of thickness below 3 mm, more preferably below 2 mm and evenmore preferably below 1 mm, or even better below 0.7 mm.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the glass sheet is coatedwith at least one transparent and electrically conducting thin layer. Atransparent and conducting thin layer according to the invention can,for example, be a layer based on SnO₂:F, SnO₂:Sb or ITO (indium tinoxide), ZnO:Al or also ZnO:Ga.

According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the glasssheet is coated with at least one antireflection layer. Anantireflection layer according to the invention may, for example, be alayer based on porous silica having a low refractive index or it may becomposed of several layers (stack), in particular a stack of layers ofdielectric material alternating layers having low and high refractiveindexes and terminating in a layer having a low refractive index. Atextured glass sheet may be also used to limit the reflection inside thevehicle. Etching or coating techniques may as well be used in order toavoid reflection.

According to another embodiment, the glass sheet is coated with at leastone anti-fingerprint layer or has been treated so as to reduce orprevent fingerprints. This embodiment is also advantageous in the caseof use of the glass sheet of the invention as front face of atouchscreen. Such a layer or such a treatment may be combined with atransparent and electrically conducting thin layer deposited on theopposite face. Such a layer may be combined with an antireflection layerdeposited on the same face, the anti-fingerprint layer being on theoutside of the stack and thus covering the antireflection layer.

According to the applications and/or properties desired, other layerscan be deposited on one and/or the other face of the glass sheetaccording to the invention.

The glass sheet according to the invention may be a glass sheet obtainedby a floating process, a drawing process, a rolling process or any otherprocess known to manufacture a glass sheet starting from a molten glasscomposition. According to a preferential embodiment according to theinvention, the glass sheet is a float glass sheet. The term “float glasssheet” is understood to mean a glass sheet formed by the float glassprocess, which consists in pouring the molten glass onto a bath ofmolten tin, under reducing conditions. A float glass sheet comprises, ina known way, a “tin face”, that is to say a face enriched in tin in thebody of the glass close to the surface of the sheet. The term“enrichment in tin” is understood to mean an increase in theconcentration of tin with respect to the composition of the glass at thecore, which may or may not be substantially zero (devoid of tin).

The glass sheet according to the invention can have a thickness varyingbetween 0.1 and 25 mm. Advantageously, in the case of the application oftouch panels, the glass sheet according to the invention can have athickness varying between 0.1 and 6 mm. Preferably, in the case of thetouch screens application, for reasons of weight, the thickness of theglass sheet according to the invention is from 0.1 to 2.2 mm.

According to the invention, the glass sheet presents a curvature tocorrectly fit with the upper part of the center console and itsparticular design.

In order to provide a better esthetic of the center console, the trimelements may be made of a digital or silk screen printed glass sheet, anetched glass sheet, a painted/enameled glass sheet, a casted glasssheet, an anti-bacterial glass sheet, a colored float glass sheet.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the trim elements aremade of laminated glass sheet. According to this embodiment, at leastone thermoplastic interlayer is used to laminate at least two glasssheets. Advantageously, a colored or active interlayer may be presentbetween the at least two glass sheets. The interlayer or a layer betweenthe glass and the interlayer might have a low refractive index (<1.43,<1.4, <1.38, . . . <1.3) to ensure TIR in the upper glass, if compatiblefrom IR absorption point of view.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the at least one trimelement is made of heat treated glass sheet, for example annealed ortempered and/or bended glass sheet. Typically, this involves heating theglass sheet (coated or not) in a furnace to a temperature of at least580° C., more preferably of at least about 600° C. and still morepreferably of at least 620° C. before rapidly cooling down the glasssubstrate. This tempering and/or bending can take place for a period ofat least 4 minutes, at least 5 minutes, or more in different situations.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the glass trimelement may be a cover glass combined with a polycarbonate plate gluedfor example behind the cover glass and potentially a display gluedbehind.

Thus, a glass trim element or a center console comprising at least trimelement made of glass sheet according to the invention may provide aglass trim element or a center console having one or more of thefollowing advantages:

-   -   a higher mechanical/scratch resistance    -   an improved stiffness/weight ratio    -   a higher resistance to ageing/weathering (sun irradiation)    -   possibility to provide a better finishing/aspect    -   possibility to have a transparent trim element (for back        lighting, screen integration, . . . )    -   possibility to have a glare control treatment and/or anti-finger        prints coating    -   a better recyclability    -   a seamless connectivity with nomadic devices    -   the glass trim element can harbor seamless audio functions        (audioglass)    -   a better hygienic aspect    -   a better comfort/convenience    -   some functionalities may be tailor-made for the occupant    -   possibility of reconciliation of many different softwares into        one single place for one Operating System.

The present invention applies to trim or decorative elements present inthe interior of a vehicle as doors handles contours, door panels, trimelements of the dashboard, back of seats . . . .

Thus, the invention also relates to an assembly for motor vehicle'sinterior and more particularly for a car's interior comprising a glasstrim element and a plastic frame as described above. The advantages ofsuch as assembly are the same cited above.

1. A method for dissipating kinetic energy during an impact on a glasstrim element into a motor vehicle interior, the method comprisingfixation of the glass trim element to a support to provide an assemblythat is integrated to a motor vehicle interior body, wherein the supportcomprises a mean with a permanent deformation or not to dissipate thekinetic energy during impact.
 2. The method according to claim 1,wherein the mean is provided under the support.
 3. The method accordingto claim 1, wherein the mean is made of a foam material, a plasticmaterial or a rubber material.
 4. The method according to claim 1,wherein the mean is made of a foam material.
 5. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the mean comprises at least 90% in weight of apolypropylene or ethylene propylene diene monomer, a thermoplasticelastomer, a silicone, or a polyurethane.
 6. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the mean has a density from 10 g/l to 50 g/l.
 7. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein the mean is provided around theperiphery or the total surface of the glass element in contact with thesupport.
 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the mean has athickness of greater than 20 mm.
 9. The method according to claim 1,wherein the mean is molded on the support.
 10. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the support is a plastic frame made of plastic.
 11. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein the glass trim element is a trimelement mounted onto the upper part of a center console body on whichfunctional elements and at least one trim element are mounted, or forall other decorated area where glass could be used such as the doorinner trim, dashboard.
 12. The method according to claim 10, wherein theplastic frame matches the shape curvature of the glass trim element. 13.The method according to claim 1, wherein the glass trim element isbeforehand assembled to a plastic frame before being integrated to themotor vehicle interior body.
 14. The method according to claim 10,wherein the plastic frame is provided on the back of the glass trimelement.
 15. The method according to claim 10, wherein the plastic frameis provided below and around the glass trim element.
 16. The methodaccording to claim 10, wherein the plastic frame is made of a materialselected from the group consisting of a polybutylene terephthalate, apolycarbonate-acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, a polyamide PA6, apolyamide copolymer PA66, a polyoxymethylene, a polypropylene, athermoplastic elastomer and a thermoset material.
 17. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the glass element is a glass of asoda-lime-silica, an aluminosilicate or a borosilicate.
 18. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the glass element is provided with asafety backing.
 19. The method according to claim 1, wherein the glassof the glass element comprises, in a content expressed as percentages bytotal weight of glass: SiO₂ 55-85%  Al₂O₃ 0-30% B₂O₃ 0-20% Na₂O 0-25%CaO 0-20% MgO 0-15% K₂O 0-20% BaO 0-20%, [[.]]

and is a glass of soda-lime-silica.
 20. The method according to claim 1,wherein the glass of the glass element comprises, in a content expressedas percentages by total weight of glass: 65 ≤ SiO2 ≤ 78% 5 ≤ Na₂O ≤ 20%0 ≤ K₂O < 5% 1 ≤ Al₂O₃ < 6% 0 ≤ CaO < 4.5% 4 ≤ MgO ≤ 12%, [[;]]

such that a (MgO/(MgO+CaO)) ratio ≥0.5.
 21. An assembly for a motorvehicle interior, the assembly comprising a glass trim element and aplastic frame.
 22. The assembly according to claim 21, wherein the glasstrim element comprises touch functionalities.
 23. The assembly accordingto claim 21, wherein a frame shape of the plastic frame is adapted tomatch a geometry of the glass.